Small fire erupts on building’s roof
A furnace caught fire on the roof of the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Building on Thursday, Nov. 3.
Sgt. Travis Dunn, of the USU Police, said the furnace fire was caused by a bad solenoid within the furnace. He said the fire was spotted and extinguished before it could cause any major damage.
A student spotted the fire on the way to class, according to Bruce Miller, department head for the agricultural systems technology and education department.
“It was just shooting out a flame stream out the side of the furnace,” Miller said. “A student saw it coming to class at 7:30 in the morning, when it’s still kind of dark, and could see the fire burning on the edge of the furnace.”
Miller’s story was consistent with Dunn’s. He said the fire was caused by a leaking solenoid valve, which was for the pilot light. When the valve began leaking gas, he said, a fire ignited outside of the fire chamber where fire should be contained.
Miller said he was glad the fire started when it was still dark and easily seen from the parking lot. Because the fire was small enough, classes continued as scheduled, he said.
“They called it in, they kept having class, they came down and shut off the gas. (The) fire went out, and now they have parts on order,” Miller said.
The only damage caused by the fire was to the furnace, he said.
“In addition to the pilot valve that failed, it melted several of the other components inside the furnace,” Miller said.
The furnace should be repaired by the weekend, he said.
– chris.w.lee@aggiemail.usu.edu